County leaders say they are prioritizing the community as a whole but critics feel it’s scapegoating.

Holomua Road bisects miles of dry, overgrown cattle pasture just east of downtown Pāʻia. Parched trees with twisted limbs line the way and form a sort of tunnel that feels separate from the outside world.

For years, a homeless population has called this spot home, parking their cars, pitching tents and building unofficial shelters out of various scrap materials along the road’s shoulder.

Area residents have long complained about the encampment’s presence, arguing it is a fire hazard that puts the entire community at risk. A brushfire on Holomua Road could quickly spread west and wreak havoc on Pāʻia , a former plantation town known for its narrow streets, quaint small businesses and o

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